“Now, if you’re done with foolishness—for a 329 little while,” she said, gayly, “I’ll tell you how we managed to get free.”
“You know why you were abducted?” he asked.
“Oh, yes!—the Parmenter jewels. Davila told me the story, and how you didn’t find them, though our abductors think you did, and won’t believe otherwise.”
“You suffered no hurt?” he asked, sharply.
“None—we were most courteously treated; and they released us, as quickly as the check was paid.”
“What do you mean?” he demanded.
“I mean, that I gave them my check for the ransom money—you hadn’t the jewels, you couldn’t comply with the demand. How do you suppose we got free?” she questioned.
“You paid the money?” he asked, again.
“Certainly! I knew you couldn’t pay it, so I did. Don’t let us think of it, dear!—It’s over, and we have each other, now. What is money compared to that?” Then suddenly she, woman-like, went straight back to it. “How did you think we managed to get free—escaped?” she asked.
“Yes!” he answered. “Yes—I never thought of your paying the money.”